NOTE: Items in dark blue are compiled by Guiddy (many thanks!), and can also be found at www.carmodelling.com, which you should bookmark anyways!

Also, this FAQ was created and will be maintained to suit our particular model forum. If there's something we haven't covered, let us know below, but also take a look at the rec.model.scale newsgroup's FAQ at http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/model.../rmsfaq.1.html. Their document covers scale modeling in general, and contains many more subjects than just car modeling.

Hi, I'm new here!
Welcome! We'd love to see your work. Feel free to post some pics of your completed builds in the Completed Gallery or show an in progress build in one of the 'Work in Progress' areas. If you'd like to tell us about yourself, you can introduce yourself in a new thread in the general area. Or you can join in the ongoing conversations here (or anywhere else in the AF forums).

You will need to upload your pictures to a photo-hosting service that will allow remote linking. (AutomotiveForums used to offer it's own hosting service, but it has been unreliable/unusable for many months now.) There are several excellent free hosting services such a Photobucket or Fotki that work well for posting pics on AF.

It is a web address with an image format suffix. Copy and paste this address into your browser address bar (or click this link), and you will see the image. This image is hosted on automotiveforums.com, as it says in the address.

AF uses IMG code to display images in posts. The address for your image should be pasted in your post in between [IMG] blocks.

It will look like this:
[*IMG]http://www.automotiveforums.com/img/logo/normallogo-dependency.gif[*/IMG]

Remove the *'s, and it looks like this:

You can type in the [IMG] blocks by hand, or you can use the Insert Image button to place them for you. Some hosting services (such as Photobucket) offer IMG coded image addresses with the [IMG] blocks already written in. In that case you can simply copy and paste the address- it is not necessary to add an additional set of [IMG] blocks with the Insert Image button.

What kind of common mistakes should I try to avoid?
Well, we all make mistakes, and hopefully, we all learn from them and keep from repeating them. The good thing about a modeling community like this is that we can share our experiences, so that once I make a mistake, you'll know better than to try the same thing. Here is a list of Little tips you have learnt the hard way!

Where can I buy model cars online?One of the favorite places to buy is Hobby Link Japan, available at www.hlj.com. They have a superb live database site which has pictures and a clear and concise ‘in stock’ display. The kits are incredibly cheap, but once postage is added you will pay close to local prices! You will get a good selection and it is a fantastic place for accessories. Worldwide postage is slow, and it often takes a week just for the parts to leave Japan, so think ahead when ordering! I usually receive items within a 5 weeks, 6 if you go for the cheaper surface mail option.

A new and up coming company is Media Mix Hobby, who have a fantastic Race Car accessory list and carry many items in stock. Postage is as fast as they get and once again you can view a live database. Available at http://asiapac.worldpay.com/cnb/shop/mediamixhobby tell Wong that you are from Automotive Forums and he will treat you extra nice!!!

Local to the United Kingdom is Grand Prix models, available at www.grandprixmodels.com. It also has a live database but without the pictures. Very fast postage service if the items are in stock, but order out of stock items at your risk!

Another site is www.1999.co.jp. They tend to be slightly cheaper than HLJ and their site has more info on kits, including scans of the instuction sheets and pictures of the box contents.

Which model kit manufacturer is good for beginners?A question with many answers, especially as the choices in model cars is so large! If you like NASCAR then only Revell will do, as no one else makes them. If you like Japanese Touring cars then only Tamiya will do and so on and so forth!
But if you are flexible and are looking for a kit just to break you into the hobby, then us guys will say go for a Tamiya! If you have never used decals before DON’T go and buy the brightest, multi-coloured, ultra winged Race beast you see as it will dishearten you! Go for a single colour road car, preferably without an engine! (Fiddly!)
We say Tamiya as the part fit is perfect, the instructions very clear (Though I have noticed omissions!) and the subjects are inspiring! The two Skylines, the WRX STi, the S2000 and the WRC Subaru in my gallery are all good starting kits.

Which model kit manufacturer is the best?
Another tough question to answer, because all the manufacturers have their pros and cons.

Right now, Revell-Monogram and Tamiya are at the forefront of the plastic car kit market (and they were the only two companies to release all-new kits in the U.S. in 2001). For some insight into the pros and cons of those two manufacturers in particular, please read: Tamiya vs. Revell - Let's get it on!!

Sometimes, though, it doesn't matter because only one manufacturer makes a kit of the car you want, so you don't really get a choice! In the end, it's the subject that matters, and any extra work you put into it will reward you ten-fold!

Primer is a filler and a barrier coat, preparing the plastic to grip the paint, filling scratches and imperfections, as well as neutralizing any incompatibility between the paint and plastic. Automotive plastic primer is the best choice, as it is suitable for any top coat and comes in white or gray. Also available in clear though that has no filling properties. ‘Key’ the plastic by rubbing the whole body with 800 grade wet & Dry paper, then apply up to three coats of primer. Then leave for 24 hours, smooth with 1200 grade paper, then add the top coats.

Also, the primer coat will help you find any small imperfections in the plastic or mold before you continue. As you sand it after the first light coat, the sandpaper will naturally take primer off the high points. These high points must be sanded flush with their surroundings, or else you will polish right through your paint job in these spots!

What kind of glue should I use?
There are actually several types, and each serves a different purpose:

PLASTIC CEMENT

Do not use the tube type of glue, as it is too messy, but the bottle based glue is superb. It comes with a small brush, and can only be used for basic assembly as it won’t work in the presence of paint, the glued surfaces must be bare plastic. It works by melting the two surfaces together. For initial building purposes, i.e. joining two engine halves together before painting.

SUPER GLUE

The best choice for suspension parts, especially joining the brake discs onto the hubs. Apply using a toothpick, and squeeze a drop onto the toothpick, never try to apply super glue straight from a tube onto the model!

Do not use on or near clear parts, as ‘fogging’ will ruin clear parts turning them white. It can also melt thin plastic, so use sparingly when mounting doors or other panels onto hinges.

‘KRYSTAL KLEAR’ or CLEAR GLUE

The ONLY choice for clear parts, and also non stressed parts, such as rear view mirrors, door mirrors, etc. Very weak until set, the parts often require tacking until the glue takes hold. Also water soluble, and a great way to glue light lenses is to use a few drops to place the part, and when dry, run a thin bead of clear glue round the lens. Then immediately wipe off the access with a wet cloth, leaving a thin bead which fills the gap and dries completely clear.

You will be best served by picking up all three types, and you will soon have a little collection of adhesives...